The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-15
INDIANAANDILLINOIS NEWS
Being Cheated in q Mule-Trade, Farm
er Takes Deadly Revenge with an Ak.
John Steel, of Rensselaer,, Shot and Killed by
Woman-A Methodist Teacher Expelled
from School and Church-Gleaniugs.
INDIANA.
A Mule-Trade Endsi in Prominent Farmer
Being Murdered with Ak.


Being Murdered with an AK.
LOUISVILLE. KY, Sept. 14-Charles Cole and
Jacob Stoner are farmers near New Washington,
Clark county, Indiana Both are prominent
church mem ers, and their property is probably
the finest in that part of the country. They had
always been warm friends until last Saturday.
when they traded mules and Cole got the worst
of the bargain. Late yesterday afternoon
Stoner passing the residence of Cole aud
stopped to speak to one of the family. The lat
ter was out feeding some stock behind the barn,
and called TO Stoner The visitor went inside
the barn with Cole. and in about two minutes
one of the farm hands heard an agonized scream
from that direction. Hurrying to the barn, he
saw Cole coming out Of the door with his hands
covered with blood. He did not look up the
Farmland passed him, and, mounting horse
rode away at . gallop. Hurrying down to the
barn, the family found Stoner just outside
STALL lying upon the floor with the blood stream
ing from terrible cut in the side of his head,
and blood-stained Ak lying near him. He was
still alive, but respiration was hardly percep-
tible. An examination showed that the injured
mans skull was crushed in q horrible manner,
and the doctor at once pronounced the case hope
less When Stoners family were apprised OF
the calamity which had befallen them, they
rang the great bell in the rear of their house,
and in hour fully score of farmers had
gathered about the place. and in short time
they were securing the country for the assassin
All day they have looked for him, but they can
find no trace. The whole country for miles
around is excited, and should Cole be caught he
will undoubtedly be lynched.
A Rensselaer, Man Killed by q Woman.
Special TIC tho Indianapolis journal.
RENSSELAER,. Sept. 14-The first murder ever
committed in the town of Rensselaer, occurred
here at about s o'clock this evening John
Steel, young married man. q timer by trade,
went to the house Of Hannah Rutherford, a
woman of bad reputation. and demanded admis-
sion. young man of the town was with the
woman, and she refused to admit Steel, and de-
clared she did not know him. At this he be-
came angry, and declared that he had already
had dealings with the woman. Steel attempted
to enter the door. but the woman pushed him
away. and ordered him to leave Steel then
started as though to go away, but bad gone but
few feet when the woman fired with revolver,
and Steel fell. and expired in few minutes,
without speaking. The woman who did the
shooting is about twenty-nine years old and
more than usually attractive in appearance.
She claims to have husband in Ohio. but does
not live with him. She has little girl about
eight years old. After the shooting she went to
a neighboring house. and stayed until the sher-
iff came and took her to the Jail, making at
tempt to escape She denies that she meant to
kill Steel.